PIPA Compliance
PIPA Legislation is here – Is Your Business Compliant?
As of January 1, 2025, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) is officially in force in Bermuda. This crucial legislation is designed to protect personal data and ensure businesses handle sensitive information responsibly.
Now that the deadline has arrived, it’s essential to confirm your organization is fully compliant to avoid potential risks and penalties. Are your data protection measures in place?
Since the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) was enacted in 2016, the Government of Bermuda and the Privacy Commissioner have been busy developing governance operations, organizing administration resources and educating the public and businesses who collect and use personal information of their respective rights and obligations under PIPA.
PIPA aims to make sure that individuals have control of how their personal information is used, and Bermuda organizations will have to review all their business processes with a view to possibly revising many of them into PIPA-compliant practices. Failure to comply with the key principles and detailed provisions of PIPA may leave you open to investigation, enforcement, and/or prosecution for an offence.
If you need support meeting PIPA requirements or enhancing your privacy practices, we’re here to help. Don’t leave compliance to chance—take action today!
Why is PIPA important?
PIPA outlines the requirements for organisations that use personal information, as well as the rights that individuals have regarding the use of their personal information by organisations. This legislation, which follows international best practice, applies to all organisations, businesses and the government that use personal information in Bermuda.
Data protection legislation like PIPA shows compliance with global standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union which is important for international business relationships. Countries with strong data protection laws are often viewed as more attractive for international business, fostering a competitive environment. Adherence to high data protection standards can be a selling point for businesses operating in or dealing with Bermuda.
How can I comply and demonstrate compliance ?
All Bermudian businesses must be able to demonstrate compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) to support organisations in meeting this requirement, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (PrivCom) has identified IASME Cyber Assurance (ICA) as an appropriate and affordable cyber security certification for helping to evidence compliance. ICA provides a structured way for organisations to demonstrate that they are taking reasonable and effective steps to protect personal information, and many Bermuda-based—particularly those processing or storing data from around the world—are expected to certify against this standard.
IASME Cyber Baseline
Cyber Baseline focuses on essential controls that protect against the most common cyber threats, ensuring your business has strong defences in place. From secure configurations and firewalls to access controls and malware protection, this framework helps you establish the foundational security needed to keep personal information safe and compliant with PIPA.
IASME Cyber Assurance
Cyber Assurance takes things further, offering a comprehensive review of your business’s technical defences and organizational policies. It covers risk management, incident response planning, and overall data handling practices, aligning your business with PIPA’s core principles of transparency, accountability, and security.
By adopting these standards, you show your commitment to safeguarding personal information and taking steps towards compliance with PIPA. Not only does this protect your business from legal risks, but it also builds customer trust, proving that their data is in capable, secure hands.
Why Certify With us?
Human Support
Our friendly and helpful team of experts will be on hand with insights and useful advice to help boost your chances of a first-time pass.
Best Price
Cyber Tec offers a best-price guarantee on like-for-like Cyber certification packages – so you’re sure to find one that works for your budget.
Assured Pass
Our guided certification packages are designed to assure your business obtains a first-time pass, giving you added peace of mind.
Speedy Turnaround
We understand that getting certified is a matter of urgency. That’s why we strive to help businesses achieve certification within 24 hours.
Remote Auditing
We complete all auditing remotely, so you can get on with business as usual – without the extra hassle of arranging on-site visits.
Aligning IASME Certifications with PIPA Compliance
IASME’s Cyber Baseline and Cyber Assurance frameworks align well with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) requirements in several key areas, helping organizations build a comprehensive data protection strategy. Here’s an expansion on how these certifications aid in meeting broader PIPA requirements:
Policy Development
Both certifications encourage the development and implementation of robust data protection policies, which is a requirement under PIPA for establishing accountability and governance practices.
Data Minimization and Purpose Limitation
The certifications advocate for the principle of data minimization and ensuring data is used only for the purpose for which it was collected, aligning with PIPA’s requirements on limiting data collection and specifying clear purposes.
Vendor Assessment and Control
Since both frameworks emphasize the importance of managing third-party risks, they guide organizations in implementing measures to ensure that vendors handling personal data adhere to similar standards of data protection, a key aspect of PIPA compliance.
Rights to Rectification and Erasure
The process enhancements and data management practices required for certification support the fulfillment of individual rights for correcting inaccurate data and deletion when it is no longer necessary for the purposes it was collected.
Breach Detection and Notification
With a strong emphasis on monitoring and incident response, both certifications prepare organizations to detect data breaches promptly and notify authorities and affected individuals within the timelines prescribed by PIPA.
Data Protection Officer (DPO)
Organizations are often required to appoint a DPO under PIPA. The training and awareness provisions within these certifications help ensure that the DPO and other relevant staff are well-prepared to manage privacy responsibilities effectively.
Data Integrity and Updating
Regular audits and checks promoted by Cyber Assurance ensure that data is accurate, up-to-date, and only retained as long as necessary, which supports PIPA’s demands for data quality and limitation.
Access Rights
Implementing access controls and managing data access efficiently as part of these certifications help organizations respond appropriately to data access requests from individuals, a core requirement under PIPA.
Encryption and Anonymization
Cyber Assurance includes advanced security controls like encryption and anonymization techniques, which PIPA may require to enhance the security of personal data, particularly in high-risk situations.
Cross-border Data Protection
For organizations that handle data across borders, the advanced security measures and policies advocated by Cyber Assurance help ensure that international data transfers are protected in accordance with PIPA’s stringent standards.
Who can certify?
IASME Certifying Bodies(CB’s), such as Cyber Tec Security, who employ qualified ICA Assessors are the only organisations able to assess and issue certificates.
Most CB’s are based in the UK, but Cyber Tec Security, although the 3rd largest in the UK are the only one establishing a base in Hamilton. Cyber Tec are highly experienced and efficient at cyber assessment and certification, and they also have qualified Bermudian assessors who understand the intricacies of the island.
Why Work With Us
Being the top third Certification Body in the UK, we pride ourselves on our Consultative, hands-on approach—there are no pre–populated dashboards or AI when working with us!
Don’t take our word for it, though – our clients will tell you:
“My Assessor fully explained everything he was doing. Provided additional information outside of the assessment criteria which will give additional security to our environment.“
Sarah
information Technology and Services
“Always a pleasure to go through CE, or CE+, with My Assessors and dealing with the Cyber Tec team in general.”
Andy
Information Technology and Services
“As always prompt and efficient service. Thank you once again guys for your excellent and informative support. We’ll be working with you again for the coming year.”
Martin
Hospital & Healthcare
“As always, My Assessor was professional and practical and good humoured – an ideal combination …”
Tim
Management Consulting
“Attention to detail, clear, constructive feedback, and plenty of patience. My Assessor was exceptional.”
Chris
Management Consulting
“The Assessment Team have been responsive and helpful with all their responses to questions we have”
Andrew
Pharmaceuticals
Louis
Real Estate
“Clear instructions and advice at all times.”
Karen
Legal Services
“Communication was timely, concise and clear; very grateful for the intimate support provided.”
Kevin
Research
“Easy, seamless and clear process”
Rich
Education Management
“Efficient and to the point”
Mikhail
Construction
“Everything was explained clearly, and it made the process very simple and straightforward.”
Feargal
Telecommunications
“Excellent service as always. The Assessors are fast, clear and efficient. Couldn’t fault anything”
Andy
Information Technology and Services
“Excellent team, helpful and responsive to ensure we passed first time with ease”
Dan
Entertainment
“Extremely helpful, and written clearly and in a friendly supportive tone”
Stephen
Sports
“Fast response – very patient and helpful – thanks”
Rebecca
Research
“Friendly, helpful staff – supporting all the way”
Margaret
Education Management
“Good feedback on initial submission”
Graham
Research
“Great communication and support throughout the whole process!”
Garratt
Information Technology and Services
“Great feedback during the process of submitting”
Aaron
Education Management
“Great levels of support and provided some excellent guidance to help us through certain areas where we were unclear as to what was required. Very responsive from a timescales perspective too and overall we felt well supported throughout the process.”
Steve
Financial Services
“Great overall experience. The assisted application process is a complete no-brainer as a lot of the questions are quite poorly structured/worded leading a variety of (mis)interpretations. Being guided through this was critical. The assisted process was incredibly fast, clear and very helpful. Bravo all round.”
Kristjan
Real Estate
“Great response and very helpful”
Helen
Management Consulting
“Great service”
Richard
Accounting
“Great support from beginning to end. So much easier having last years completed questionnaire as a template.”
Scott
Leisure, Travel & Tourism
“Help always comes promptly and right to the point”
Balazs
Information Technology and Services
“Helpful and attentive throughout”
Ahmed
Hospitality
“I got plenty of assistance all the way through. “
Victoria
Accounting
“It was a simple process – all good”
Andy
Information Technology and Services
“It was quick, efficient and helpful, and with useful insights.”
Jurate
Defence & Space
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with My Assessor – he reviewed our responses speedily and gave clear guidance on remediation. A huge thank you from us!”
Katie
Professional Training & Coaching
“I’ve rated highly due to the level of support that has been provided, not only from My Assessor and My Auditor, but also the sales and admin team , who have all assisted each year we work with you, to provide quick and informative answers to our technical and non-technical questions. Thank you all, looking forward to working with you for CE+ and beyond.”
Chris
Fundraising
“My Assessor and the auditor are always available and provide us with excellent advice”
Gareth
Information Technology and Services
“My Assessor was awesome. Very understanding and extremely helpful. Made the whole process smooth “
Abbas
Legal Services
“My Assessor was polite, courteous and very experienced.”
Hifzulrehman
Research
“My Assessor was very useful and explained in detail what needed to be done to get us up to standard.”
Ryan
Real Estate
“Provided the right level of support to enable me to complete the assessment quickly and accurately.”
Tom
Legal Services
“Quick and efficient.”
Graham
Machinery
“Quick response time, clear guidance. Whole process made very easy”
Andrew
Non-Profit
“Quickly answered any questions and available to speak when needed.”
Marcus
Industrial Automation
“Really helpful & clear guidance.”
Dave
Information Technology and Services
“Responses to our queries very quickly, review quick and good advice. Thank you”
Manuel
Insurance
“Smooth as!”
Colin
Information Technology and Services
“Strong communications and reminders before, during and following the process. My Auditor in particular performed way above and beyond our expectations during the CE+ stage of the assessment. Thank you for your service.”
David
Information Technology and Services
“Superb as always. Clear and to the point. 100% would come back”
Grant
Information Technology and Services
“The Assessors communications were clear, concise and to the point. They helped me use my time effectively and efficiently.”
Airan
Information Technology and Services
“The Assessor was very helpful”
Martina
Hospital & Healthcare
“The Sales Team and My Assessor were both professional and extremely patient.”
Marc
Management Consulting
“The support I had was great. As a non technical person, everything was communicated really clearly, which was much appreciated.”
Lis
Non-Profit
“Their notes clarified the details and requirements of the assessment. They made it make sense..”
Gregor
Information Technology and Services
“Thorough and helpful”
Shirley
Business Supplies & Equipment
“Very helpful and insightful when providing feedback to help us pass the assessment.”
Graham
Recreational Facilities and Services
“Very helpful and responsive in a timely fashion.”
Asaf
Information Technology and Services
“Very Helpful!”
Brandon
Information Technology and Services
“Very helpful, fast responses. Thank you.”
Victor
Research
“Very helpful, Quick to respond, Made the process easy”
Curtis
Information Technology and Services
“Very prompt review and submission process. Big thanks to the auditors as they ensured to always get back to me within 2 business days with friendly and informative replies… we will continue to use CyberTec in the future.”
Jordan
Non-Profit
“We as a company have downsized as I’m on the flight path to retirement. I am the only employee and renewing the certificate filled me with dread. But both My Assessors were very patient and professional. It actually turned out to be an almost enjoyable experience. Well done guys, I very much appreciate your guidance and help.”
Stephen
Staffing & Recruitment
“You do what you say and in a timely manner!”
Tom
Retail
IASME Cyber Baseline Certification Packages
Reseller rates also available. Ask about reseller pricing.
* Assured pass assumes you follow our consultant’s advice and ensure that all the required controls are put in place.
Keep in constant Compliance with our Monthly Vulnerability Assessments at only £100/$130
Our Complementary Security Services
Cyber Insurance
A specialist cyber insurance policy can give your business maximum protection. Choose from a range of flexible options from market-leading providers.
Penetration Testing
Our monthly or one-off penetration tests simulate an attack on your systems to see how far hackers could go, followed by a detailed report and recommended remedies.
Vulnerability Assessment
Uncover potential gaps and weaknesses in your cybersecurity infrastructure before they can be exploited by online criminals with a vulnerability assessment. Use to stay compliant with cyber certificates such as CE and ICA
Managed Threat Detection
Our threat detection software protects your business against cyberattacks 24/7, with real-time monitoring, SOC analysis and CE Plus alignment.
Incident Response
By using the services of our CREST accredited incident response delivery partner, Pen Test Partners LLP, the impact of any breach or incident can be minimised and business continuity maintained by the provision of services in line with your company’s specific needs, regardless of your cyber maturity level.
Lets get Secure together
- Jersey: +44 1534 715260
- UK: +44 117 457 3331
- Bermuda: +1 441 279 7101
- [email protected]
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Kensington Chambers, 46/50
Kensington Place, St Helier, Jersey JE1 1ET